LsX in a MG Midget...can this be done????
LsX in a MG Midget...can this be done???? has anyone done this or is it completely insane to even think about it????
is there any kind of place where i could find a kit to do this??????
is there any kind of place where i could find a kit to do this??????
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
I haven't done it, but here's my .02
I had a early style MGB - a '74. the Rover V8 fits in those with a little reshaping of the tunnel area (the later ones fit with no modification). From what I've heard, with the Rover engine in there, it's pretty packed.
I had a Rover V8 in my Seven, which I replaced with a LS1. LS1 is definitely bigger in pretty much every dimension. with the Rover in there, I could see the ground through my engine compartment - with the LS1, it's ALL engine. Length and height will not be a problem. Width might be.
I'm pretty sure you can forget about fitting a T56 tranny in the MGB tunnel. T56 is huge. So if you do it, you may end up with another tranny.
Having said all that, anything is possible with a hack saw and a welder.
I had a early style MGB - a '74. the Rover V8 fits in those with a little reshaping of the tunnel area (the later ones fit with no modification). From what I've heard, with the Rover engine in there, it's pretty packed.
I had a Rover V8 in my Seven, which I replaced with a LS1. LS1 is definitely bigger in pretty much every dimension. with the Rover in there, I could see the ground through my engine compartment - with the LS1, it's ALL engine. Length and height will not be a problem. Width might be.
I'm pretty sure you can forget about fitting a T56 tranny in the MGB tunnel. T56 is huge. So if you do it, you may end up with another tranny.
Having said all that, anything is possible with a hack saw and a welder.
TECH Regular
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
Have seen a 289 in an MGB. It was VERY tight. I would say no go. I had a couple midgets and sprites.
Spitfire absolutely as the whole front tilts up, nice frame rails. Also a Triumph GT6 plus would be a great conversion, much stiffer package, stout rear end.
Now if you really want something cool that would probably fit how about a lotus europa, mid engined with a c5/c6 transaxle. They weigh 1550 lbs soaking wet.
http://www.lotuseuropa.org/
Spitfire absolutely as the whole front tilts up, nice frame rails. Also a Triumph GT6 plus would be a great conversion, much stiffer package, stout rear end.
Now if you really want something cool that would probably fit how about a lotus europa, mid engined with a c5/c6 transaxle. They weigh 1550 lbs soaking wet.
http://www.lotuseuropa.org/
A buddy of mine has a 72 MGB with a 377 smallblock Chevy and it's name is "slopoke". Everyone laughs until he pulls the front end up and runs 10.00's. It fits pretty nice in there.
Bill
Bill
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I have a 74 MGB GT with a Rover V8 in it and I have measured for the LS1. The LS1 in larger then the Rover V8 in only the width from head to head at just over 1/2 an inch. here is a pic of the Rover block and the LS1 sitting next to each other.
here are the engine bay pics of my car.
with the radiator moved formard there is some room up there, but that is not going to be the problem with putting the LS1 in there. the real problem will be getting the crank pulley to clear the sway bar, to get the rover to fit past the swap bar the harmonic ballencer has to have all the pulleys removed from it and machine a V-belt grove in the balencer I'm not sure how you would do this on the LS1 if it was needed. I have not test fit the LS1 in there but it does look like it will be a close fit to that sway bar.
But here are somethings I have been thinking about with the MGB. The Rover motor is a light motor weighing in at 327 pounds, even the LS1 is not that light. Also being that I have the Rover V8 in now I want to use the same type header and exhaust arangement, with the RV8 stlye headers that go out the inner fender. Also there really is no room to have a block hugger style header any bigger then a 1" 5/8 and that would even been a tight fit I'm sure with shitty flow. there is more but it is late and I got to get some sleep I will post more later.
Also as far as the T56 in the MGB I have seen one behind a 4.9L stroker Rover motor little hammer time on the tunnel and it is in there.
here are the engine bay pics of my car.
with the radiator moved formard there is some room up there, but that is not going to be the problem with putting the LS1 in there. the real problem will be getting the crank pulley to clear the sway bar, to get the rover to fit past the swap bar the harmonic ballencer has to have all the pulleys removed from it and machine a V-belt grove in the balencer I'm not sure how you would do this on the LS1 if it was needed. I have not test fit the LS1 in there but it does look like it will be a close fit to that sway bar.
But here are somethings I have been thinking about with the MGB. The Rover motor is a light motor weighing in at 327 pounds, even the LS1 is not that light. Also being that I have the Rover V8 in now I want to use the same type header and exhaust arangement, with the RV8 stlye headers that go out the inner fender. Also there really is no room to have a block hugger style header any bigger then a 1" 5/8 and that would even been a tight fit I'm sure with shitty flow. there is more but it is late and I got to get some sleep I will post more later.
Also as far as the T56 in the MGB I have seen one behind a 4.9L stroker Rover motor little hammer time on the tunnel and it is in there.
Last edited by Sabre002; Jul 8, 2006 at 12:17 AM.
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Launching!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
From: UK
As said previously, "anything is possible", have a look at my project ........
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-swaps/460867-ls1-into-vauxhall-astra-coupe.html
And I was told by 888 (Vauxhall BTTC team over here) that it wasn`t something I could acheive myself, although they could do it, for a price. lol
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-swaps/460867-ls1-into-vauxhall-astra-coupe.html
And I was told by 888 (Vauxhall BTTC team over here) that it wasn`t something I could acheive myself, although they could do it, for a price. lol
